I want to be part of a team. I want to be a part of my community and be able to give back. Whether big or small, from a single individual to state or world wide, I want to make a difference.  I am an only child in a small family, who has a yearning to belong to something bigger. I love team sports and volunteering. I know someday I will be a great asset to a professional team of people who are also passionate about giving back. I want to give myself the best chance at being able to do just that, which is why going to college is so important to me. This scholarship will help me pay for college. This scholarship will mean I am one step closer to achieve my goals. This scholarship will help me to eventually help others, and my community. I am extremely thankful for this opportunity.

My first volunteering experience deeply affected me. I signed up through UNICEF to help coach and ref autistic young adults to play basketball. I had not been around many autistic people before and at first, I have to say, I felt a bit awkward. But, after a few weeks, the players and I began to develop relationships, understand our boundaries, and really just became “buds”, so to speak. I looked at life differently after that experience. I am more empathetic, able to relate to other peoples situations, and try not to ever judge someone on first glance. You never know what someone else may be struggling with, and just how cool of a person they are on the inside.

 I want to be part of a team. I want to be a part of my community and be able to give back. Whether big or small, from a single individual to state or world wide, I want to make a difference.  I am an only child in a small family, who has a yearning to belong to something bigger. I love team sports and volunteering. I know someday I will be a great asset to a professional team of people who are also passionate about giving back. I want to give myself the best chance at being able to do just that, which is why going to college is so important to me. This scholarship will help me pay for college. This scholarship will mean I am one step closer to achieve my goals. This scholarship will help me to eventually help others, and my community. I am extremely thankful for this opportunity.

My parents really want me to go to college. And when I say really, I really mean it. As a first generation student, my parents want for me what they didn’t have; an advantage that having the education from a four year college can give you. I have always known that I wanted to go to college, I think. My parents have instilled that in me from a very young age, anyway. So, one of the biggest challenges I’ve had to overcome is recognizing my own wants, needs, and wishes. I have had to do a lot of self reflecting about who I want to be and how I want to get there. And I have realized that yes, I want go to college! Big surprise here, my parents were correct. But, for me, it wasn’t just about them being right or wrong. It was about understanding that I want to go to college for me, not for anyone else. And that feeling is empowering! I am so excited for the college journey that awaits me.

“Live as minimally as possible now and be rewarded later”. This was a quote from what is now one of my favorite pod casts call Choose FI. What I have learned regarding financial freedom has been life changing. Since hearing this I have made more responsible decisions with my money. I make small decisions now that will effect my life later. Do I need to eat out? Do I need the latest Nike’s? Usually, the answer is no. And if it’s yes, I can usually get a discount or a coupon. Reducing your spending is just the first part, where you put the extra money is key. Investing in ETF’s is how I will eventually make my money work for me. From there I can broaden my portfolio from housing to cryptocurrency and more. I believe the information on financial freedom can be used at any age. I wish I had learned about it years ago and maybe I wouldn’t need scholarships or financial aid to go to college. I know my parents wish they learned about it before 40! So, what can we do to get the word out? I will continue to use every platform I have to tell my friends and family and to also encourage others to do so. And together, we can help others to be more fiscally responsible.

 I want to be part of a team. I want to be a part of my community and be able to give back. Whether big or small, from a single individual to state or world wide, I want to make a difference.  I am an only child in a small family, who has a yearning to belong to something bigger. I love team sports and volunteering. I know someday I will be a great asset to a professional team of people who are also passionate about giving back. I want to give myself the best chance at being able to do just that, which is why going to college is so important to me.

“Live as minimally as possible now and be rewarded later”. This was a quote from what is now one of my favorite pod casts call Choose FI. What I have learned regarding financial freedom has been life changing. Since hearing this I have made more responsible decisions with my money. I make small decisions now that will effect my life later. Do I need to eat out? Do I need the latest Nike’s? Usually, the answer is no. And if it’s yes, I can usually get a discount or a coupon. Reducing your spending is just the first part, where you put the extra money is key. Investing in ETF’s is how I will eventually make my money work for me. From there I can broaden my portfolio from housing to cryptocurrency and more. I believe the information on financial freedom can be used at any age. I wish I had learned about it years ago and maybe I wouldn’t need scholarships or financial aid to go to college. I know my parents wish they learned about it before 40! So, what can we do to get the word out? I will continue to use every platform I have to tell my friends and family and to also encourage others to do so. And together, we can help others to be more fiscally responsible.

“Live as minimally as possible now and be rewarded later”. This was a quote from what is now one of my favorite pod casts call Choose FI. What I have learned regarding financial freedom has been life changing. Since hearing this I have made more responsible decisions with my money. I make small decisions now that will effect my life later. Do I need to eat out? Do I need the latest Nike’s? Usually, the answer is no. And if it’s yes, I can usually get a discount or a coupon. Reducing your spending is just the first part, where you put the extra money is key. Investing in ETF’s is how I will eventually make my money work for me. From there I can broaden my portfolio from housing to cryptocurrency and more. I believe the information on financial freedom can be used at any age. I wish I had learned about it years ago and maybe I wouldn’t need scholarships or financial aid to go to college. I know my parents wish they learned about it before 40! So, what can we do to get the word out? I will continue to use every platform I have to tell my friends and family and to also encourage others to do so. And together, we can help others to be more fiscally responsible.

“Live as minimally as possible now and be rewarded later”. This was a quote from what is now one of my favorite pod casts call Choose FI. What I have learned regarding financial freedom has been life changing. Since hearing this I have made more responsible decisions with my money. I make small decisions now that will effect my life later. Do I need to eat out? Do I need the latest Nike’s? Usually, the answer is no. And if it’s yes, I can usually get a discount or a coupon. Reducing your spending is just the first part, where you put the extra money is key. Investing in ETF’s is how I will eventually make my money work for me. From there I can broaden my portfolio from housing to cryptocurrency and more. I believe the information on financial freedom can be used at any age. I wish I had learned about it years ago and maybe I wouldn’t need scholarships or financial aid to go to college. I know my parents wish they learned about it before 40! So, what can we do to get the word out? I will continue to use every platform I have to tell my friends and family and to also encourage them to tell their friends. And together, we can help each other to be more fiscally responsible.